Eulogy Writing For Beginners

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Writing a eulogy for upcoming funeral services for a family member or friend can be a very difficult, very emotional experience. Many people who try to write a eulogy often have difficulty organizing their thoughts, getting their thoughts on paper or even deciding what to write about. These tips will help you write a powerful, meaningful eulogy for someone you love.

What kind of information is included in a eulogy?

Eulogies can include biographical information, information about achievements and anecdotes about the person's life. These are very broad topics and many people have a hard time narrowing their focus. If you're finding it difficult to pick a topic, engage in one of the following activities to help you find inspiration:

• Go through old pictures.
• Interview friends and family, ask for advice.
• Write down a favorite or important memory of this person.
• Write a short story about the time you met this person.

These exercises may get your mind jogging, which can help you generate ideas and material for your speech.

Eulogy Length

There is no standard length of time for a eulogy. Most important is that you coordinate the length of your eulogy with the amount of time made available to you in the funeral program. To ensure that the speech you've written doesn't exceed that time, practice delivering your eulogy in front of the mirror. Speak a bit faster than you normally would to simulate your nervousness (which you will very likely feel when giving the eulogy).

The Writing Process

Writing any speech can be difficult, and certainly the emotional stress of writing a eulogy makes this activity extra hard. These tips will help you get words on paper, even if they don't want to come out:

1. Make a list of all the points that you'd like to cover in your eulogy. This list may not even be in order at first. Once your list is complete, then you can put the points in an order that makes sense.
2. If you're having a hard time writing the introduction to your eulogy, start in the middle. Pick one of the points that you wrote on your list and simply start writing from there. Build outward from the middle of your speech.
3. Don't try to be poetic or flowery. Write like you talk.

For more help and information about writing a eulogy, speak with the funeral director, such as those at Shepherd Funeral Home. He or she can tell you some of the qualities of the best eulogies and may be able to give you advice as you write yours.

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12 November 2015